A lot has been going on globally in the past week, here are some of the details:

Iran Plans to Allow Inspectors, Finally, 10/04/09, New York Times (NYT)

Iran has agreed to allow UN inspectors access to one of their new nuclear facilities. See the article for details.

Spotlight on the Glossier Side of Sub-Saharan Africa, 10/4/09, NYT

The stories our of Africa are, let’s face it, usually depressing and tragic. But they don’t tell the whole story. The times has a piece on the glamourous life in sub-saharan Africa- money, cars and lots of clothes.

Indonesian Rocked by Earthquakes, 10/2/09, NYT

In late September, two earthquakes rocked Indonesia. According to the Times, “On the island of Sumatra, in Indonesia, a 7.6-magnitude quake struck Wednesday evening just 30 miles off the coast of the city of Padang, killing at least 200 people and trapping thousands in buildings.” Then, “A second earthquake struck western Indonesia on Thursday morning more than 100 miles from the epicenter of the quake on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.” And finally, “Early on Tuesday in the Samoas, an underwater 8.0 magnitude quake produced a tsunami that struck with little warning after dawn, causing at least 103 deaths and 145 injuries, destroying villages throughout the islands. “It is the worst one we have had,” said Lilo Malava, the police commissioner of Samoa, in a telephone interview.” Tragic.

London Teen Did not Die from HPV Vaccine, New York Daily News (NYDN)

When Natalie Morton, a 14-year-old teenage girl in London, died shortly after receiving the HPV vaccine, many thought the vaccine was to blame. (intelligent person side eye). It was not. She died from “a malignant chest tumour and not by a reaction to the vaccine manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.” So smart girls…read more about the vaccine here.

Roman Polanski- Child Rapist/Famed Director Brouhaha, 09/29/09 (NYT)

Roman Polanski, a famed director, was arrested in Switzerland “31 years after he fled the United States following a guilty plea to having had sex with a 13-year old girl.” And the drama ensues. Some in Hollywood have signed a petition urging his release …as others demand he be punished for his crime. Read the article for details on their reasoning. You know our stance- we don’t play with the safety and lives and girls over here. Not at all. Here’s Chris Rock’s take-

South African Children March for Better Schools, 09/24/09, NYT

According to the article, the children were marching for libraries and librarians. ‘“We want more information and knowledge,” said a ninth grader, Abongile Ndesi.’ Amazing.